Featured Window

Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: All Saints Episcopal Church

Studio Name: Connick (Charles J.), Ltd.

City: Detroit

Window Shape: 6 (gothic arched, more than 2 vertical sections)

Date of Window: 1953

Subject/Title of Window: Light of the Holy Spirit

Brief Description of Subject: The description of this three lancet chancel window, located above the altar, is based on material found in Charles J. Connick worksheet #3346.

The theme of this window is the world-wide power and influence of the Holy Spirit. The Pastor of this Church, Rev. Berton Levering, wrote that he wanted this window to emphasize that "the Holy Spirit is the power Jesus contacted and learned to use in performing his miracles and in healing human souls. You remember He says, 'I do nothing of myself, but the Father does the work, --i.e. thru the activity of the Holy Spirit.'" The Holy Spirit is the means by which Jesus continues working in the world. The design uses golden light as the symbol for the presence of the Holy Spirit. This light is especially visible in the lens surrounding the pictures of Christ. In some way, each of the 16 scenes of this window involves the Holy Spirit --- Incarnation, Nativity, baptism, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension, evangelizing, healing, etc.

At the bottom of the lancets are inscriptions pertaining to the three members of this Parish that lost their life in WW2, and the donors of the lancet.

Left Lancet

Above Scene 1 is the first letter of the Greek alphabet --- Alpha. Above Scene 1 of the Right Lancet is the last letter of the Greek alphabet --- Omega. Together they are from Christ's words, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending," Revelation 1:8 (KJV).

Scene 1: The Incarnation. John 1:14 (KJV), "And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." The boy Christ is posed in the form of a cross. Flanking him are the Old Testament figures Moses and Isaiah. They prophesized the coming of a Savior, Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15-22 and Isaiah in Isaiah 11:1-9.

Scene 2: The Nativity. The Virgin Mary is holding the Christ child flanked by her parents St. Anne and St. Joachim.

Scene 3: Baptismal panel for Christ. Flanking Christ are an angel and John the Baptist holding a container of water.

Scene 4: Modern baptismal scene with parents and God-parents.

Scene 5: The Transfiguration. The story is covered in all of the synoptic Gospels. Flanking the transfigured Christ is Elijah and Moses and in the border are the Apostles Peter, James, and the beardless one, John.

Under this scene is the inscription pertaining to, 1st Lt. James L. Rowe AAF. The seals mistakenly pictured are for the United States Air Force (USAF) which was created in 1947. Before becoming a separate branch of the Service, it was part of the Army and was known as the Army Air Force (AAF).

Middle Lancet

Above Scene 1 is a right hand --- the symbol for God the Father. With Christ and the Holy Spirit seen throughout the window, this completes the Trinity.

Scene 1: Christ as the Light of the World. This comes from Christ's words in John 8:12, "I am the light of World, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." The small figures on the border are meant to suggest Christ's healing of the blind.

Scene 2: With the small hands at the top of the scene pointing in different directions, this may be Mark 16:20, after the Ascension "the disciples went out everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Scene 3: John's version of the Great Commision, which involves the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of cloven tongues of fire. John 20: 19 -23, on Easter Sunday night Christ appeared to the Apostles and "Jesus said 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.' And with that he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven, if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.' "

Scene 4: A modern clergyman wearing a surplice performing the laying of hands on a kneeling figure. This is the ritual that bestows the grace of God through the prayer of the minister for healing.

Scene 5: The Great Commission brought Christ to all races. Around Christ are seen an Indian, Chinese, Caucasion, Ethiopian, and Black. 

Scene 6: Pictured is a kneeling man being helped into heaven. flanking this scene is Jacob with the ladder in his dream that led to heaven, and Elijah who was whisked up to heaven on a chariot of fire.

Under the scene is the inscription pertaining to Ensign Green USN. The insignias pictured are from the center of the Seal of the Department of the Navy.

Right Lancet

Above Scene 1 is the last letter of the Greek alphabet --- Omega. Above Scene 1 of the left lancet is the first letter of the Greek alphabet --- Alpha. Together they are Christ's words, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending," Revelation 1:8 (KJV).

Scene 1: The Ascension. Luke 24:30, "When he had led them out in the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While blessing them, he left them and was taken into heaven.

Scene 2: Possibly Luke 24: 36-45 ---Christ appears to the Apostles after the Resurrection, "Look at my hands and my feet...When he said this, he showed them his hands." 

Scene 3: The Resurrection. Christ arising from the tomb on Easter Sunday morning. 

Scene 4: Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb. According to the Gospel of Mark, she was accompanied by Mary the mother of James, and Salome.

Scene 5: The Crucifixion. The two figures in green are the Virgin Mary and the Apostle John.

Under the scene is an inscription pertaining to CPL Ramsey McMurray AAF. The seals mistakenly pictured are for the United States Air Force which was created in 1947. Before becoming a separate branch of the Service it was part of the Army Air Force (AAF).

Inscriptions: The Gift of St. Andrews Guild. Dedicated to the memory of 1st Lt. James L. Rowe USAF [sic], who gave his life in the South Pacific June 8, 1944.
Dedicated to the memory of Ensign A. Green USN. Lost at sea on the USS Twiggs June 16, 1945. The gift of Nelson B. and Bessie Green.
Dedicated to the memory of CPL. Ramsey McMurray USAF [sic]. Died on a student training mission July 4, 1945.


Height: 13'

Width: 10'

The MSGC is a constantly evolving database. Not all the data that has been collected by volunteers has been sorted and entered. Not every building has been completely documented.

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